A great example of verbal irony in A Tale of Two Cities is the titles of book 2, chapter 12 and 13: "A Fellow of Delicacy" and " A Fellow of No Delicacy" respectively. In chapter 12, Dickens characterizes Stryver as a selfish, arrogant man. He "shoulder[s]" (Dickens 109) his way through life, not a care for others. He believes that his pursuit of Lucie's hand in Marriage to be quite a service to Lucie; who would not want to marry the amazingly successful Stryver? The lawyer believes his success extends to his charming personality of delicacy, a "tenderer sort of fellow" (Dickens 106). Dickens pokes fun at this arrogant belief by titling the chapter "A Fellow of Delicacy," all the while characterizing Stryver's personality as exactly the opposite of delicate.
The next Chapter continues this sarcasm as Dickens characterizes Carton. Titled in line with Stryver's insolent impression of his Jackal as "an insensible dog" (Dickens 106), the chapter reveals a delicate sensitive side to Carton as he reveals his true self. He opens up to Lucie as a fragile individual, unworthy of Lucie's compassion, moping "all my life might have been" (Dickens 115). Carton is indeed a man of great delicacy, unlike Stryver and the chapter name would lead one to believe. Dickens uses this verbal irony to highlight and emphasize Stryver's arrogance and lack of Delicacy, as well as Carton's frailness. Besides, how boring would it be to name the titles so predictably?
The next Chapter continues this sarcasm as Dickens characterizes Carton. Titled in line with Stryver's insolent impression of his Jackal as "an insensible dog" (Dickens 106), the chapter reveals a delicate sensitive side to Carton as he reveals his true self. He opens up to Lucie as a fragile individual, unworthy of Lucie's compassion, moping "all my life might have been" (Dickens 115). Carton is indeed a man of great delicacy, unlike Stryver and the chapter name would lead one to believe. Dickens uses this verbal irony to highlight and emphasize Stryver's arrogance and lack of Delicacy, as well as Carton's frailness. Besides, how boring would it be to name the titles so predictably?